How to Sync a Laptop Automatically to a Microsoft Account

Use an official account to sync documents and files across Windows devices

By
Matthew S. Smith
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Matthew S. Smith
Writer
  • Beloit College
Matthew S. Smith has been writing about consumer tech since 2007. Formerly the Lead Editor at Digital Trends, he's also written for PC Mag, TechHive, and others.
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Updated on July 6, 2022
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
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Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute

Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA-certified technologist with more than 10 years of experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.

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What to Know

  • Open the Accounts in Windows' Settings > Your Info > Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.
  • The on-screen instructions will step you through the process.

This article will teach you how to set up an account so Microsoft store purchases, Edge web browser bookmarks, and other data sync automatically.

How to Sync a Laptop Automatically to a Microsoft Account

Follow these steps to sync a laptop automatically to a Microsoft account.

  1. Open the Windows Start menu, then select Settings.

    The Windows 11 start menu with Settings highlighted

  2. Select Accounts.

    The Microsoft settings app with Accounts highlighted

  3. Tap Your Info.

    The Accounts settings menu in Windows 11 with Your info highlighted

  4. Select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead. This is found under Account Settings.

    The Microsoft Accounts setup screen in Windows 11.

  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to log in with your Microsoft account or create a new account.

    This step requires an Internet connection.

This will complete the setup of your Microsoft account on your laptop. Once finished, basic Windows data can sync between devices. This includes purchases made in the Microsoft Store and bookmarks saved in the Microsoft Edge web browser.

You can enhance your laptop's ability to sync automatically by installing OneDrive. This will let you sync files across devices. You can also sync documents across Microsoft applications if you subscribe to Microsoft 365.

Can I Sync My Laptop Automatically Without a Microsoft Account?

A Microsoft account is required to use the core sync features available in Windows. This includes Microsoft Store purchases, Windows settings, Edge browser bookmarks and tabs, and progress in some Microsoft games, among other things.

However, you can get around using a Microsoft account for other services. Google's Drive and Apple's iCloud can be used to store files in the cloud and sync them across devices. Several Microsoft Office alternatives, such as Google Docs and Zoho Docs, can sync documents. Web browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox offer their own sync utilities.

Can I Sync My Laptop Automatically With a Mobile Device?

Logging in to your laptop with a Microsoft account can sync data between Windows devices, but it doesn't provide much utility when using a mobile device.

You can use a Microsoft app called Your Phone to set up sync with an Apple or Android mobile device. This will help you install and log in to a variety of Microsoft services.

Alternatively, you can download desired Microsoft apps individually from the App Store and Google Play store.

FAQ
  • Can I stop automatic sync on my laptop?

    You can stop your laptop from syncing automatically by removing the Microsoft account. Instead of using that option, choose Sign in with a local account instead. Select it and follow the on-screen instructions to remove the Microsoft account. This option does not remove other Microsoft services like OneDrive or Microsoft 365. You'll need to sign out of those apps individually.

  • How do I sync photos from my phone to a Windows laptop?

    Regardless of what kind of phone you use, you can easily sync your pictures and movies by using a cloud-storage service like Google Photos or Dropbox. Any photos you add from your phone will appear automatically on your computer once it syncs with the service.

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